"We also need to get to the root
causes of what motivates a significant number of people who think it is
acceptable to go out on a Friday or Saturday night, drink to excess and indulge
in anti-social behaviour."

Jean Coussins, chief executive of The Portman Group - the industry back organisation that promotes sensible drinking, also called for action.

"The government should develop mass media campaigns to curb excessive drinking, funded at the same level as its drink-drive campaigns over the years."

Shadow home secretary Oliver Letwin said: "The government has been far too complacent about the problem of alcohol abuse - particularly among young people."